Shown here is a very nice specimen showing how Apache Tears (obsidian nodules) are formed in nature. As obsidian (volcanic glass) flows become fractured and hydrated over eons of time, the original glass is altered to a white, flaky, mineral called perlite. Perlite has a varitey of commercial uses, one of which is as a soil ammendment. If the conversion of an obsidian mass is only partial, one might find residual nodules of obsidian encased in perlite. The specimen above, from Superior, Arizona, shows an Apache Tear embedded in perlite. Although obsidian nodules can be found in many Western U.S. localities, the term Apache Tear should be attached only to those glassy obsidian nodules found beneath the cliffs of Apache Leap Mountain in Arizona. This is the site where Apache warriors lept to their death rather than surrender to pursuing soldiers. The legend states that tears of the mourning Apache women and families fell to the ground and solidified forming Apache Tears.

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